Words are Gunn, Safran and other WB honchos tell the 'Wonder Woman' director that her treatment for the follow-up to 'Wonder Woman 1984' doesn't fit the new direction of the studio.
- Dec 8, 2022
AceShowbiz - James Gunn and Peter Safran have killed "Wonder Woman 3". In the first big bold move by the new heads of Warner Bros.'s film and TV division, Patty Jenkins' treatment for the third installment has reportedly been scrapped.
Gunn and Safran, who recently had deep discussions in Aspen about their plans for the studio, are expected to meet next week with David Zaslav, the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO who hired the duo in October to lead a newly launched film and TV division. While much of their plans, which insiders paint as still a work-in-progress and one that has yet to be approved, details of several possible paths they will be taking have been swirling.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jenkins recently submitted her treatment, co-written with Geoff Johns, but Gunn, Safran and Warner Bros. Pictures co-chairs and co-CEOs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy told her that the project didn't fit the proposed plans.
While costs are not a factor in the decision, the studio could end up saving tens of millions of dollars by not making the third installment. Gal Gadot was reportedly poised to bag $20 million paycheck for "Wonder Woman 3", while Jenkins would have received $12 million. Those figures don't include any possible backend bonuses.
The news of the axing comes just a day after Gadot shared a hopeful update on the possible threequel. "A few years ago it was announced that I was going to play Wonder Woman.I've been so grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character and more than anything I'm grateful for YOU.The fans.Can't wait to share her next chapter with you," she tweeted on Tuesday, December 6.
It's unclear how any future "Wonder Woman" movie would fit into the new DC plans, but Gadot's character isn't the only one at risk to have her big screen iteration coming to an end under Gunn and Safran's new direction. Rumor has it that the duo's plans include the closing curtain of the Snyderverse, and the heroes cast by filmmaker Zack Snyder for his "Justice League". This means the shutting down of "Man of Steel 2", with a returning Henry Cavill, and having no more "Aquaman", fronted by Jason Momoa.
Both heroes are expected to cameo in "The Flash" solo film, which is due out on June 16, 2023. Cavil filmed his part for the movie in September, but sources say there is a debate inside the studio about whether or not to keep the cameo. A Warners insider, however, notes that no plans have been finalized and that the final cut of "The Flash" has yet to be locked.
